But according to the Law Society Gazette, intellectual property lawyers in the U.K. have reacted coolly to the development, which still has a few hoops to jump before becoming law.

To begin with, 13 member states, including the U.K., France and Germany, must ratify the new court process. And while the European Patent Office could begin granting the new unitary patents immediately, it is unlikely to do so until the court system is a reality.

In any event, Richard Willoughby, a patent lawyer at IP boutique Rouse, told the Law Society Gazette that the reforms would not in fact create a single patent court because infringement actions, which constitute the vast majority of cases, can be commenced either where the central divisions of the new court (which has limited jurisdiction) are located, or in any member state that wants a local or regional division court.